Improving your posture is about more than just standing up straighter. Over time, the effects of poor posture can result in serious health issues.
According to a recent survey, only 47% of Americans are concerned about poor posture and the impact it has on their health.
That means that more than half the American population isn’t concerned about their posture. But poor posture can have significant effects on your health.
Discover what the effects of poor posture are and how you can improve your posture and overall health.
What Is Poor Posture?
Poor posture, or postural dysfunction, refers to poor positioning of your joints and muscles.
Over time, stressful and unnatural positions can cause the spine to curve. This results in a bent spine and can cause other serious health problems.
Poor posture can occur from the daily activities we do.
For example, if you sit hunched over a computer or desk at work, this can start to cause poor posture. Sitting poorly for a day might not make a whole lot of difference.
In addition to the tips mentioned above, chiropractic care can also be an effective way to improve posture and reduce pain. Chiropractic care involves the use of manual adjustments to the spine to improve alignment and reduce pressure on nerve tissues. There are many chiropractors who specialize in treating postural problems. You can find a qualified chiropractor in your area by visiting a chiropractor listing directory website that offers a free consultation so you can meet with a chiropractor and discuss your specific needs.
However, if you sit hunched over all the time this can cause pressure to build-up on the tissues and muscles, causing them to weaken.
What Are the Effects of Poor Posture?
The most common effect poor posture can have on your body is shoulder pain and back pain.
The pain will often be felt when you move your shoulder or back or lie on the side that is affected.
Poor posture can also lead to your lumbar muscles to shorten and contract, which causes tightness and lower back pain.
But surprisingly, poor posture can affect more than your shoulders and back.
It can also contribute to poor digestion, poor circulation, a decrease in breathing quality, and reduce energy.
Poor Digestion
Slouching often means that your shoulders and neck fold over your abdomen and chest.
This can compress your abdominal organs and prevent the digestive tract from working.
Over time, this will slow down your metabolism and cause you to experience nutritional deficiencies. It can also lead to gastrointestinal and constipation.
Poor Circulation
Circulation problems can occur if you have poor posture too. That’s because if you sit poorly all day, every day, your body can’t properly circulate blood.
If you work in an office, make sure you move throughout the day and don’t sit in one position for too long.
Poor posture and sitting down too much can also lead to varicose veins.
Decreased Breath Quality
Poor posture can also impact your lung function.
Slouching prevents your lungs from getting as much air as possible, which impacts your breath quality and the quality of air that you breathe in.
Good breath quality helps with regular brain and heart function.
A decreased breath quality may cause shortness of breath, impaired or poor cognitive function, or heart disease.
Reduce Energy
Poor posture can also result in reduced energy. If you find yourself feeling fatigued and unenergetic, it might be because of your posture.
Poor posture adds extra tension and causes aches in your body, such as in the joints and muscles.
The body then tries to overcompensate and relieve these aches, but as a result of this, you may find you have less energy.
Other Possible Side Effects of Poor Posture
Poor posture can also cause damage to your spine. Misaligned spines are common with those who have poor posture.
Misaligned spines can cause aches and pains in your back and can also increase tension on your knees.
Misaligned spines can curve, which eventually can also damage your nerve supply.
Damaging your nerve supply through spinal misalignment can prevent your brain from being able to communicate with the rest of your body.
Poor posture may also result in jaw pain and frequent headaches. It may also lead to poorer sleep quality.
But it isn’t only physical effects you can experience, you might also find that you’re less productive if you have poor posture.
How to Improve Your Posture
Luckily, there are a variety of ways you can improve your posture. And the sooner you start, the better it is for your body and overall health.
Improved posture can be as easy as ensuring your office chair and desk are suitable for you.
Alternatively, you can get accessories for your chair, such as a lumbar support pillow.
You can improve your posture by positioning yourself upright.
For example, if you often find yourself slouching at the office or at home, try correcting your position. Sitting upright will help to ensure your posture is improved over time.
You might also find that doing regular exercises can improve your posture.
Exercises to Help Prevent Slouching
If you’re guilty of slumping, you need to do exercises that can strengthen your core and buttock muscles.
Good exercises to improve slouching include bridges, planking, and back extensions.
Exercises to Help Walk Correctly
If you have poor posture because you stick your bottom out when you walk, you need to do exercises that can help correct your posture.
Planking, side-lying leg raises, standing thigh stretches, and hip flexor stretches, can all help to correct this.
You can also make a physical effort to adjust the way you walk. Try to walk so your body is perfectly aligned.
This means you’re maintaining your spine’s curvature, and that your neck is straight, with your shoulder parallel to your hips.
Exercises to Help Prevent Getting a Flat Back
Having a flat back is a posture that can be caused by muscle imbalances or by spending long periods of time sitting down.
To avoid having a flat back posture, you need to do exercises that strengthen your core, buttocks, neck, and shoulder muscles.
Try doing some planks, side-lying leg raises, and chest stretches. Back extensions can also help to correct a flat back.
Improve Your Health and Your Posture
As you can see, the effects of poor posture can cause more than just backache.
Over time poor posture can negatively impact a whole range of your body’s functions, which is why it’s important to work on your posture.
If you found this article insightful, be sure to check out some of our other wellness and lifestyle articles.